The steam-powered locomotives used today on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad were built during the 1920s. …

Plenty of hikers use the train to get up into the San Juan’s.One way scheduled trains take 3½ hours …

Elk Park is the last siding, wye, and flagstop before Silverton. Not as popular as Needleton for hikers, Elk Park is where the railroad crosses the Colorado Trail …

I stayed on the train at both Needleton and Elk Park. Rode it all the way to Silverton.

One essential task left – laundry.

The campground is happy to have hikers stop by for a wash and dry. (Or a $7 shower.)

For lunch I hit the southern Barbecue joint – Thee Pits Again.Pork ribs, baked beans, cornbread … and very British bread pudding for desert. My last restaurant meal before hitting the trail.I wandered the town while my togs were drying. Getting out of Silverton was another blunder. I started hitchhiking … in the wrong direction. A local gent drove me up to the correct highway and to the best place to hitch. I had a ride within minutes. Hikers are hitching back and forth the 7 miles to Molas Pass all the time.

Arriving at the pass I met a European who was nearly finished the 500 mile Colorado Trail. But he needed to resupply in Silverton, staying at the hostel there one night. Oddly, he got a 7 mile ride with this truck driver. Some scam was in the works, I suspected. Actually, Silverton has no grocery store. But does have a gear shop (fuel) and plenty of restaurants.

The vista looked great from Molas. Here I’m looking back at the section prior the one I was about to do. Across the highway. Off and up.Gorgeous scenery. Though my pack felt heavy. I should have left more STUFF hidden in a garbage bag.The wild flowers are shoulder high in places.I set up in a lovely spot.Failed to get the campfire going this time. (Tried to skimp on kindling.)